The Saints were penalized 11 times Friday for 90 yards, and as is probable with that many infractions, some were costly. For example, the Saints negated two good kick returns, and on their last drive of the first half, wide receiver Marques Colston was flagged first for unsportsmanlike conduct and then for a false start on a drive that eventually stalled, forcing the Saints to settle for a field goal.

"We had 11 penalties, " Payton said almost as soon as he got to the postgame podium. "A couple of those, things we can certainly clean up. But there's a lot of hidden yardage there lost in the return game."

TIGERS BURNING BRIGHT: Some of the Superdome crowd could have been forgiven if they enjoyed an LSU flashback or two, given how many former Tigers made plays.

Saints wide receiver Devery Henderson got a fortuitous tip on a jump ball with Chargers cornerback Antoine Cason that turned a 46-yard heave from Brees into New Orleans' first touchdown.

That play came after Chargers running back Jacob Hester, starting now as San Diego's fullback, plunged over left tackle from the 6-yard line for a touchdown.

But the Superdome loudspeakers also cackled from time to time with the names of other former LSU players, too. Chargers backup linebacker Darry Beckwith was in on a tackle as was Saints backup linebacker Harry Coleman.

Elsewhere, San Diego wide receiver Buster Davis had three catches for 41 yards, and the Chargers also went to Josh Reed once, unsuccessfully.

INJURY REPORT: A few Saints left the game with injuries and did not return, although it remained unclear if any of them were serious.

Safety Pierson Prioleau, who has played well on special teams in the preseason, went out in the first half with what was characterized as a knee injury.

In the second half, offensive tackle Zach Strief and linebacker Jonathan Vilma left the game. Vilma walked off on his own with what was announced as a groin issue. Strief went to the sideline unaided but hobbling a bit with what was announced as a knee injury.

The Saints also scratched two would-be starters, somewhat unexpectedly, although those two players do not appear to be seriously hurt. Fullback Heath Evans, who generally sat out the second part of two-a-day practices during training camp while rehabilitating a knee injury, did not dress. Also out was cornerback Tracy Porter, who nicked a previously injured left knee at some point in the past week. Porter missed one day of practice during the week but said his injury was not a long-term concern.

Then, late in the fourth quarter on the Saints' final possession, wide receiver Courtney Roby, who had two catches for 45 yards in a solid game, went out and did not return.